Software Buying Guide

Software buying tips

First, purchasers must understand they are not actually buying software; they are buying a software license, that is, permission to load computer software onto one machine (or several, depending on the license terms) and to use it on that machine. Licensees' may not copy or resell software packages. Software licensing is a worldwide problem; thousands of 'copyright pirates' are selling illegal copies of anything they can get their hands on. Purchase software only from reputable sources; that discount computer software may have a really low price because hardworking developers and programmers aren't getting the royalties they deserve.

Second, check software for system requirements, it should be listed on every product page. Computer hardware and operating system software change regularly and developers write software for current computer systems. They try to write new software that's compatible with machines a few years old, but this isn't always possible. New features mean bigger programs and your machine may not have enough RAM or hard drive space to hold these programs. If this happens, don't panic; just get a CPU upgrade or a memory upgrade or a new hard drive. New components are usually cheaper than a new computer.

Third, buy what you need, not everything you want. Some software is very inexpensive, but even Overstock.com's discount computer software can be a big investment. Some software packages cost as much as your computer hardware. Ask yourself questions: Do you need new software or can you get an upgrade for your current application? Can you use a standard software package or will you require the premium version to get all the software features you need? Planning and preparation may save you money and get you more long-term satisfaction.

Finally, prepare for a disaster. You never know when a power surge or black-out will happen. Surge suppressors and uninterruptible power supplies are basically hardware protection, but if the computer hardware is damaged, software can also be lost. There are also viruses, house fires, theft -- a list of potential disasters that would stop a hyena from laughing. To fully safeguard your software and data:

• 1) Purchase and use good computer security software (see Software Care below).
• 2) Buy an external hard drive, regularly download a copy of everything to this hard drive. Do not connect this drive to your computer except when doing the download -- if the drive isn't connected, any virus that hits your computer stops there.
• 3) Collect all your original software installation CDs, manuals, key codes, activation codes, etc., and store it off-site -- with relatives, your lawyer, in a safe deposit box, or wherever you store birth certificates, passports and other vital documents. If you lose the house or apartment, you don't lose what isn't there.
• 4) Once a year, burn a CD or DVD with all your files and documents and store it offsite -- a backup backup copy, if you will.

This may seem excessive, but just because they are clichés doesn't make them wrong: Better safe than sorry. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean no one is after you.

Software terminology

Application: There's a tiny difference in use but, basically, it's a synonym for software.

Hard drives: A memory disc (internal or external) where files and applications are stored.

Drivers: Software that runs peripherals or computer accessories -- optional computer hardware added to the computer system to increase its abilities. Printers, scanners, PDA docks, cameras and other devices usually include driver software on a CD or DVD. Any peripheral that doesn't require a manually-installed driver is called a 'plug-n-play' or PnP device.

OS: Short for operating system, the master control program that runs your computer hardware. Generally, applications are designed for use with one OS computer software and is compatible only with that OS software.

• UNIX: UNIX was first released in 1970 as "freeware," meaning no royalties are paid to the developers. The goal of UNIX creators was a world-wide OS free from proprietary software (such as Windows and MAC). UNIX users are allowed to modify this software as needed, and many of these variations, Linux and GNU being among the best known, are also freely distributed operating system software. UNIX OS software is very popular among web-hosts, server programmers and hobbyists.
• Windows: MS-DOS (released by Microsoft in 1981) was chosen for the IBM Personal Computer, their first mass-market, low cost, single-user computer. (That computer is also the reason Windows OS computers were called IBM-compatibles or IBM-clones and are now known as PCs.) MS-DOS evolved into Windows, which has been licensed to many computer manufacturers and is currently the most common choice for business and home computers.
• MAC: Created by Apple in 1984, it was the first graphical user interface system (GUI) -- one that allowed operators to click icons instead of typing commands -- a style since adopted by other OS software developers. Apple does not license MAC OS to other computer hardware manufacturers. MAC remains the choice of graphics industry professionals.

RAM: 'Random access memory' is the active computer memory, sometimes in chips located on the motherboard (the brain of the computer). When a file (such as a word processing document) is being used, the original file stays on the hard drive; you work on a copy of that file in the RAM. Hit the save button and the original file is replaced on the hard drive by the updated copy. If the power suddenly goes off, changes made since the last save are lost, hence the need for a UPS (uninterruptible power supply).

ROM: 'Read-only memory' files are those the user cannot alter. The start-up codes on the motherboard are on a ROM chip; any files on CD-R or DVD-R are read-only, as you cannot alter files on those discs (though you may be able to open, alter and save them elsewhere).

Software classifications

Art and imaging software

Art and imaging software is a big category, with some very general applications and some that are very specific. Photo software can take those precious family photos and archive or display them in a digital photo frame -- you can also edit them (remove red-eye) or montage them. Clip art software is a collection of images you can put into your projects without paying royalties. Drawing software turns your cursor into a paintbrush (Sorry, Overstock.com does not guarantee that digital art software will turn you into Michelangelo.) Among the specialty packages, home design software, kitchen design software and landscaping design software do just what their names imply. (Once again, it's home design software, not a degree in architecture.)

Business and productivity software

Business software and its cousin, productivity software, are designed to make your business and employees run more efficiently (read that "more profitably"). Small business software is specifically designed for the needs of the "little guy" who doesn't want to stay little. Business plan software will help you chart a course for your enterprise. Business management software packages can help you with invoices, mailing lists, customer databases, business legal forms and other necessities.

Children's software

Children's software is heavy on the games, of course, but it doesn't stop there. For the post-toddler crowd, children's computer games feature their favorite cartoon characters and most also qualify as educational software, making learning numbers and letters fun. For the grade-school students, kids' computer software is more interactive; the players get to control some of the action. Teens seem to be considered adults by some software companies, meaning some companies will put anything into their games. Parental supervision is needed to make sure this "children's software" is actually suited to minors. In addition to games, language learning software can help teens expand their horizons and reference software will help with that school report. Your home computer can almost be a tutor, one you don't pay extra to have.

Educational and instructional software

There are other educational software packages for just about any age and subject. What would you like to learn? In the global 21st Century culture, language translation software and language learning software should be on everybody's to-do list (this includes learning to speak English software). Whether you need science educational software to help get you through college or guitar software so you can start a rock band or something in between, instructional software can flatten your learning curve.

Personal finance software

Run your household with business-like efficiency using personal finance software. Used to be, it was just personal budget software, but new packages are more like home productivity software: Organize records, track investments, draft legal documents (going to your lawyer with drafts in hand saves time and money!) and more. Your home is like a small business in many ways, using something like business computer software can make running the home a much smaller headache.

Programming and Web development software

Not everyone needs professional-grade programming and web development software -- well, not yet. For those who do, there are lots of different programs out there to help them design and manage their Web site, and they probably already have a good idea what they need.

Reference software

Reference software can be very general, like encyclopedia software or dictionary software; or specific like map software, law reference software or Bible software. Why buy software when it's all on the Internet? Who said "everything" was on the Internet? Who said it was easy to find? Since almost anyone can put almost anything on the Internet, a lot of mistakes have crept in and it can be difficult to figure out where those mistakes are.

Software care

Since few users can even gain access to software source code, let alone alter it, computer software packages require little care. The best attention computer software (and computer hardware, for that matter) can receive is keeping them free from viruses, spyware and other intrusive programs. Security and utilities software are those applications which help you manage the data in your computer system. Among Internet security software programs are:

• Anti-virus software: Anti-virus software prevents outside software from entering and damaging your computer system.
• Anti-spy software: Anti-spy software prevents outside software from reading private files and sending the data outside your computer system.
• Archive/file recovery software: Saves file copies in case the system has problems.
• Compression software: Reduces the size of files, allowing more to be stored in the system.
• Encryption software: Codes files so only certain individuals can open or read them.
• Firewall software: Internet security software that prevents applications or devices in your computer system from communicating with outside sources via the Internet without your knowledge and permission.
• Monitoring software: Allows computer system administrators to track use of computer hardware and software by system users; a great tool for parents to keep an eye on children in cyber-space.

The most cost-effective protection plan is a utility software package that includes several utilities and which offers regular updates via the Internet (most of these require an annual subscription). If your computer is networked, the security software will generally be on the server, rather than individual machines; if in doubt, talk to the system administrator.

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